AICOPTAX PROGRAMME
The mugger crocodile, also called the Indian crocodile, or marsh crocodile, is found throughout the Indian subcontinent.
It is listed as vulnerable by IUCN.
This crocodile is the most common and widespread of the three species of crocodiles in India.
The mugger is mainly a freshwater species, and found in lakes, rivers and marshes.
The Gharial or fish eating crocodile is native to the Indian subcontinent.
It is listed as a Critically Endangered by IUCN.
Small released populations are present and increasing in the rivers of the National Chambal Sanctuary, Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary, Son River Sanctuary and the rainforest biome of Mahanadi in Satkosia Gorge Sanctuary, Orissa.
Threats to Gharial include increasing intensity of fishing and the use of gill nets, and the excessive, irreversible loss of riverine habitat caused by the construction of dams, barrages, irrigation canals, siltation, changes in river course, artificial embankments, sand-mining, riparian agriculture, and domestic and feral livestock.
Saltwater Crocodile (Crocodylus porosus) :
It is the largest of all living reptiles.
It listed as least concern by IUCN.
It is found throughout the east coast of India.
All India Coordinated Project on Capacity Building in Taxonomy in India (AICOPTAX
- Taxonomy is the science which helps in exploration, identification and description of living organisms. However, the scope of taxonomy does not end with this. A sound taxonomic base is a pre-requisite for environmental assessment, ecological research,effective conservation, management and sustainable use of biological resources.
- About 90,000 species of animals and 47,000 species of plants have been identified and described so far. A large number of animals and plants are yet to be explored,identified and described.
- As a signatory to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) held in Rio de Janeiro in 1992, India has committed itself to capacity building in taxonomy and taken up exploration and preparation of an inventory of living organisms.The Ministry has set up an All India Coordinated Project on Taxonomy.
- The Project has organized specialist groups drawn from Universities, Botanical and Zoological Surveys of India to take up taxonomic work an animal viruses,bacteria and archaea, algae, fungi, lichens, bryophytes, pteriodophytes,gymnosperms, palms, grasses, bamboos, orchids, helminthes and nematodes, Microlepidoptera and Mollusca.
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Eco-Development Forces (EDF) Scheme
- established in 1980s as a scheme being implemented through Ministry of Defence for ecological restoration of terrains, rendered difficult either due to severe degradation or remote location or difficult law and order situation.
- The scheme of Eco-Development Forces is based on twin objectives of ecological regeneration in difficult areas, and promotion of meaningful employment to ex-servicemen.
- Under this scheme, the establishment and operational expenditure on the Eco Task Force (ETF) Battalions raised by Ministry of Defence is reimbursed by Ministry of Environment and Forests while the inputs like sapling, fencing, etc. and also the professional and managerial guidance is provided by the State Forest Departments.
- In ETF battalions, the Ministry of Defence deploys its ex-servicemen, preferably from within the area of operation, whereas the nuclear core of the force is constituted of regular servicemen.
- Some of the ETF Battalions have undertaken successful eco-restoration of highly degraded sites, for example the limestone mining areas in the Mussoorie Hills.
Presently, following six ETF battalions are being supported under the EDF Scheme in the States of Uttarakhand, Rajasthan, Jammu & Kashmir and Assam.:-
Sl. No.
|
TA Bn ID No.
|
Year of Raising
|
Location
|
| 1 | 127 Inf Bn |
1981
| Shivalik Hills (Uttarakhand) |
| 2 | 128 Inf Bn |
1981
| Rajasthan Cannal (Bajju) |
| 3 | 129 Inf Bn |
1988
| State of J & K |
| 4 | 130 Inf Bn |
1994
| Pithoragarh (Uttarakhand) |
| 5 | 134 Inf Bn |
2007
| Sonitpur (West), Assam |
| 6 | 135 Inf Bn |
2007
| Haltugaon, Assam |
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Madhav Gadgil Report
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Crocodiles in India
Three major types of Crocodiles found in India
Mugger crocodile (Crocodylus palustris) :
Gharial (Gavialis gangeticus) :
Saltwater Crocodile (Crocodylus porosus) :
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| Saltwater Crocodile |
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| Gharial ==============================================================================================
|
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| Mugger Crocodile |
